Best Engine Oil For Your Diesel Vehicle

Which oil is best for your diesel engine? Rotella breaks down options based on your environment and other factors.

Using the right oil for your vehicle is essential to reducing overall operational costs. Get confident with our guide to choosing the best Shell Rotella^® diesel oil for your tough work.

Diesel engines are a special breed. They have more power and higher torque but with higher compression ratios. They also produce more soot. Plus, the new lower-emission diesels can run at extremely high temperatures, shearing oil at a much higher rate.

Know what oil is recommended for your engine

A driver’s first step should always be to check your OEMs (original equipment manufacturer’s) recommendation(s) in your owner’s manual. Some OEMs recommend different viscosity grades based on operating conditions, loads and fuel economy typically achieved.

Shell LubeMatch can offer recommendations on the oil to use for your vehicle.

WHICH ENVIRONMENT(S) DO YOU WORK IN?

Cold temperatures

The process of getting oil flowing through your diesel engine starts when you turn the ignition. If you begin this process after the engine has been sitting – overnight, for example – the oil in your engine is starting from a settled state.

The faster the oil flows through your engine, the faster your critical engine parts are protected. During cold winter months, or if you live in an area of extreme cold, the time it takes to get the oil flowing can take longer so selecting a diesel engine oil proven to perform in cold temperatures is a must.

The Shell Rotella^® family of heavy-duty engine oils are formulated to deliver the right performance for your diesel vehicle in any condition.

When conditions get cold, we recommend:

Shell Rotella T6

Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic heavy-duty engine oil with Triple Protection Plus^™ technology has been enhanced with fully synthetic base oil plus advanced additive technology to provide protection against wear, deposits and oil breakdown, PLUS better low temperature flow and better fuel economy performance¹.

It’s available in a 0W-40 viscosity for extreme cold temperatures, an SAE 5W-40, and an SAE 15W-40 viscosity. Learn more

Shell Rotella T5

Shell Rotella T5 Synthetic Blend heavy-duty engine oil combines synthetic blend base oils and advanced additives to deliver excellent protection, even at low temperatures where the enhanced cold-flow properties help protect your engine.

You can buy it in an SAE 10W-30, and an SAE 15W-40 viscosity. Learn more

Shell Rotella T6 Multi Vehicle

Shell Rotella T6 Multi-Vehicle 5W-30 heavy-duty synthetic engine oil with Triple Protection Plus™ uses fully synthetic base oils, plus advanced additive technology to provide protection against wear, deposits and oil breakdown, while also providing enhancements in fuel economy and high/low temperature performance. Learn more

Shell Rotella T5 Ultra 10W-30

Shell Rotella T5 Ultra 10W-30 synthetic blend heavy-duty engine oil is designed for some model year 2017 and later heavy-duty diesel engines that allow an API FA-4-quality oil.

Use it for hardworking protection that adapts to your driving conditions and better low-temperature flow. It’s also formulated to minimize oil consumption and to protect exhaust catalysts and particulate filters found in vehicles meeting 2010 United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions regulations.

With the exception of the Ford 3.0L diesel engine, currently no light-duty diesel pickup manufacturers recommend an API FA-4 engine oil. However several heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers, including Detroit Diesel, Cummins and Navistar allow the use of an API FA-4 oil. Be sure to check with your manufacturer and follow their guidelines. Learn more

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Extreme heat

It’s no surprise that diesel engines are hot. From heavy-duty hauling to logging thousands of highway miles, your diesel engine can face extreme heat.

Over time these high temperatures can cause standard oils to break down – increasing the wear on your engine. Shell Rotella oils are thoroughly tested under the most extreme conditions for this reason.

Only when our oils have passed the test are they ready for your vehicle, and we’ve formulated our diesel engine oils to resist high temperatures and stress.

Each product in the Shell Rotella^® family of heavy-duty engine oils are formulated to deliver the right performance for your diesel engine in any environment.

If you need proven performance in extreme heat, we recommend:

Shell Rotella T4

Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection works for all heavy-duty engine applications. With its wide range of specifications – and approvals from many of the world’s leading engine makers – it’s an excellent choice for on-highway fleets, general haul, construction, agriculture, public-transport operators, and diesel pickup trucks, including high-power vehicles where resistance to increased heat and stress is required. Learn more

Shell Rotella T6 Multi-Vehicle

Shell Rotella T6 Multi-Vehicle 5W-30 heavy duty synthetic engine oil with Triple Protection Plus^™ uses fully synthetic base oils, plus advanced additive technology, to provide protection against wear, deposits and oil breakdown. On top of this, it delivers enhancements in fuel economy and high/low temperature performance. Learn more

Shell Rotella T5 Ultra 10W-30

Shell Rotella T5 Ultra 10W-30 synthetic blend heavy duty engine oil is designed for diesel engines that allow an API FA-4 quality oil. Ensure your manufacturer allows the use of an API FA-4.

It’s designed to provide hardworking protection that adapts to your driving conditions, including low temperature flow, while being formulated to minimize oil consumption and protect exhaust catalysts and particulate filters found on on-highway low-emission vehicles. Learn more

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Off-highway, industrial, agricultural

The demands of industrial and agricultural operations on your diesel engines need a level of protection that suits a range of heavy-duty applications.

Running a farm, for example, can mean managing a variety of equipment of different brands with different lubrication needs. All Shell Rotella^® diesel engine oils are designed to protect all diesel engines, so you can consolidate the oils you use.

Shell technologists and engineers understand how to design oils with specific protection levels and the tools and services to help maximize the value of what you invest in lubrication.

Our portfolio of products is the culmination of their expertise and skill, offering a full range of protection and performance possibilities to meet your working needs.

When You Need Oils You Can Rely On, Shell Recommends:

Shell Rotella T4

Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection is suitable for all kinds of heavy-duty engine applications. With its wide range of specifications – and approvals from many of the world’s leading engine makers – it’s an excellent choice for on-highway fleets, general haul, construction, agriculture, public-transport operators, diesel pickup trucks, including high-power vehicles where resistance to increased heat and stress is needed. Learn more

Shell Rotella T6 5W-40

Shell Rotella^®T6 5W-40 heavy duty engine oil uses fully synthetic base oils, plus advanced additive technology, to protect against wear, deposits and oil breakdown. It also delivers enhancements in fuel economy and high/low temperature performance. Learn more

Need to reduce fuel costs and be greener?

To help save money on fuel - and reduce your vehicle’s CO₂ emissions - we recommend:

2.8% fuel economy saving with Shell Rotella T6 Multi-Vehicle 5W-30
2.6% fuel economy saving with Shell Rotella T5 Ultra 10W-30 (if your OEM allows the use of API FA-4 oils)
2% fuel economy saving with Shell Rotella T5 Synthetic Blend 10W-30
1.5% fuel economy saving with Shell Rotella T6 5W-40.

No matter what you put your diesel engine through, you need to know your oil will protect your engine under all conditions. And proven performance matters. Shell Rotella oils have been proven over hundreds of millions of miles to deliver superior protection and performance for your engine.

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¹ _{Better fuel economy performance with Shell Rotella T6 0W-40 and 5W-40, compared to an SAE 15W-40 engine oil.}

Which Diesel Engine Oil Is Best For My Vehicle?

Know what oil is recommended for your engine